Kentucky Bluegrass
Poa pratensis · Cool-season (C3), Perennial
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Pooideae, Tribe Poeae
Grass Category
Lawn/Turf Grass, Sports Turf, Golf Course Fairway/Rough
Variety / Cultivar
Likely a common turf-type blend (e.g., 'Midnight' or 'Baron' type), as identified by the dense, medium-textured habit and characteristic color.
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 2-7; excellent cold tolerance; enters dormancy during summer heat stress or winter freezes.
About This Grass
A dense, long-lived perennial grass forming a thick sod. It has a rich emerald to dark-green color, fine to medium texture, and remains dormant during hot, dry summer periods or extreme cold.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are 2-4mm wide, V-shaped or flat, featuring a distinct boat-shaped tip. Vernation is folded in the bud; ligule is short and membranous; auricles are absent; smooth leaf surface with a prominent midrib.
Root System
Fibrous and rhizomatous; moderate depth (6-12 inches). It has a high thatch-forming tendency but excellent sod-forming ability and moderate drought recovery speed due to rhizomes.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, North Asia, and the mountains of Morocco and Algeria; widely adapted to temperate humid regions across North America.
Growth Habit
Rhizomatous; forms a tight, dense sod through underground stems that allow for self-repair and significant spreading.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun preferred (6+ hours); moderate shade tolerance. High water requirements (1-1.5 inches per week) during growth. Prefers well-drained, fertile soil with pH 6.0-7.5.
Mowing & Maintenance
Recommended height 2.5-3.5 inches; frequent mowing required during spring/fall peaks. Needs 2-4 lbs N per 1,000 sq ft annually; requires regular aeration and dethatching every 2-3 years.
Special Characteristics
Excellent wear tolerance and recovery due to rhizomes; susceptible to Dollar Spot, Summer Patch, and Necrotic Ring Spot (likely cause of the patch in image); moderate salt tolerance.
Ecological Information
Introduced and naturalized in North America; provides forage for various wildlife and soil stabilization; often blended with Perennial Ryegrass or Fine Fescue for improved genetic diversity.